A major conflict is erupting within the Partido Popular in Madrid after a former Mostoles deputy filed a court complaint against the town’s mayor, Manuel Bautista, and the party leadership. According to El Pais, the case concerns allegations of sexual and workplace harassment, as well as pressure and violations of moral rights. The situation took a new turn after the former deputy accused the regional PP leadership of aggressive and humiliating treatment during the handling of her complaint.
Pressure instead of support
According to case materials, after initially reaching out to the Madrid Partido Popular leadership, the former deputy did not receive support but instead faced attempts to persuade her to abandon legal action. At meetings with the vice-secretary for organization and electoral affairs Ana Millán and other senior party members, she was directly advised not to take the conflict public, citing possible repercussions for her family and reputation. At the same time, according to the complainant, the party leadership offered neither protective measures nor initiated any internal anti-harassment protocol.
Isolation and pressure in the municipality
After word of the complaint reached the mayor of Mostoles, he began individually questioning colleagues about their position in the conflict, according to the former deputy. This led to her social isolation within the municipality, the spread of rumors, and obstructions to her work. Personal attacks intensified within the team, and her access to information and projects was restricted.
Meetings without results
Despite repeated appeals to the leadership of the Partido Popular, the situation only worsened. At the second meeting with party representatives, according to the former deputy, she was again advised to ‘take a step back’ and not take the matter to court. The party leadership insisted it could not apply the internal harassment protocol, as a deputy’s status does not imply an employment relationship with the party. At the third meeting, which the former deputy attended with a lawyer, she was denied the right to have legal counsel present and, according to her, was treated aggressively and humiliatingly. The PP leadership stated it did not have information about any legal proceedings and considered the issue strictly a municipal matter.
Leaving the party and its consequences
After yet another unsuccessful attempt to elicit a response from the party, the former deputy resigned and left the Partido Popular. She claims that after this, she faced public discreditation and the spreading of false information about her by former colleagues. According to her, the party not only failed to protect her but also contributed to worsening her situation, resulting in the need for medical and psychological assistance.
Internal party conflicts and pressure on complainants are not uncommon in Spain. Other regions of the country have also seen cases where internal disagreements lead to public scandals and resignations. For example, a mass protest recently took place in Madrid against cuts in education funding, which also sparked discussion about the role of party structures in addressing pressing social issues — you can read more about this in the article about the protests in the capital.
The complaint of the former Mostoles deputy is currently being reviewed by a specialized court for cases of violence against women. According to El Pais, the party has officially announced an internal review, but the complainant claims her arguments were not heard and the investigation was only a formality. The situation is still developing, and its consequences may affect not only local, but also regional structures of the Partido Popular.
